campus:

Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Title: Disabilities Advisor

Job Code: 2060

Grade/FLSA: D/Exempt

Updated By: Casey Maureen Dillon - 10/16/2017 11:06:27 am

Job Summary

Advises students with learning and attention disabilities. Provides referrals, documents and recommends students for services to facilitate their integration into the academic environment. Provides related education to the campus community.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in psychology, special education, social work, counseling psychology, or rehabilitation counseling or equivalency; a minimum of three years experience working with adults who have learning disabilities; the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups; and writing and organizational skills required.

Master's Degree that includes coursework/experience in assessment and multivariate statistical analysis; the ability to do program planning; and a knowledge of the American's With Disabilities Act (ADA) preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

Performs intake interviews to gain a foundation of information to provide assistance for people with diagnosed learning and attention disabilities.

Meets with students who have learning disabilities on a regular basis to discuss and plan learning strategies, provide advising, as well as encouragement to facilitate their academic progress.

Prepares notes to complete advising record after each session, and maintains file along with the intake questionnaire to determine and track client progress.

Evaluates the probability of a learning disability, provides evaluation referrals, and based on the documentation, determines appropriate accommodation needs for the student.

Prepares letters of support for student admission, financial aid, etc, along with letters to faculty pertaining to any accommodation that may be necessary.

Evaluates appropriate documentation outlining client strengths and weaknesses, and identifies necessary accommodations, i.e. additional time to take an exam, the need to take a tape to class for auditory processing disabilities, etc.

Resolves difficult, and oftentimes crisis situations that require immediate attention, i.e. severe depression, suicide, etc., as well as more moderate problems, i.e. obtaining a book on tape for a student with a reading disability to enable them to participate.

Responds to inquiries and explains services to help prospective and current students understand what is available to facilitate and meet their academic needs.

Summarizes and disseminates current information and research pertaining to learning disabilities to the campus community to expand and increase their knowledge on the subject.

Problem Solving

Challenges encountered by this incumbent include working to help students accept a life-long problem, but one that is often unrecognized and undiagnosed when they reach college. These students may find themselves faced with academic probation at the same time they are attempting to face the harsh realities of overcoming their disability. Additionally, the incumbent advises some students with emotional and physical disabilities.

Other times the incumbent encounters faculty who are reluctant to accommodate a student with a learning disability, which requires him/her to specifically identify what the instructor’s responsibilities are pertaining to the ADA.